WO2015154996A1

WO2015154996A1 - Pressure compensation element having spring element, casing and electronic control device

Info

Publication number: WO2015154996A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/056314
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward Kotowicz
Original assignee: Continental Automotive Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-04-08
Filing date: 2015-03-24
Publication date: 2015-10-15
Also published as: CN106465554B; US10477714B2; CN106465554A; US20170042052A1; DE102014206735A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a pressure compensation element (100) for casings, comprising: a connecting body (110) in the form of a hollow body (150); a membrane seat (120) having a contact surface (125) for a membrane (130); and an impact protection means (140). The membrane seat (130) is arranged on the connecting body (110), wherein the impact protection means (140) is coupled to the connecting body (110). The membrane (130) is arranged on the contact surface (125), between the impact protection means (140) and the membrane seat (120). The connecting body (110) has a first opening (160) arranged on a first free end, and a second opening (170) leading to the contact surface (125) of the membrane seat (120), wherein a spring element (180) is arranged inside the second opening (170), abutting the contact surface (125), said spring element providing a support contour (185) for the membrane (130). The invention also relates to a casing and an electronic control device.

Description

description

Pressure compensation element with spring element, housing and electronic ^¬ nisches control unit

The invention relates to a pressure compensation element according to Pa ^¬ tentanspruch. 1

Electrical devices in tightly sealed housings, such as a motor control, are exposed to environmental influences. In the active state, these devices heat the air inside the enclosure ^¬ In the housing. This expands and creates an overpressure inside the housing. If the electrical appliances are then switched off, they cool down and the internal pressure drops. Basically, the outside temperature can change much faster than in the well-sealed housing, for example, in a sudden strong Sommergewit ^¬ ter. Such temperature fluctuations lead to condensation in airtight electrical housings on the one hand, on the other hand, the seals are loaded by the positive and negative pressure, so that the seal protection is weakened in the long run. A further problem is that with a negative pressure inside the housing additional moisture can be sucked into the interior. Since the moisture does not simply escape, it can precipitate on the housing if there is a difference in temperature between the inside of the housing and the environment, possibly accumulating on its bottom. Repeated temperature changes may increase the amount of water over time and may damage the installation, resulting in corrosion and short circuits. Depending on the application, failure of installed components and devices can cause major damage.

Pressure compensation elements are used for ventilation of electrical equipment in such tightly sealed housings, as used, inter alia, in motor vehicles. Such pressure compensation elements largely prevent the penetration of conditions of water in the housing interior, but allow a compensation of, for example, based on temperature changes pressure differences between the indoor air and the environment.

From the prior art pressure-equalizing elements are ^¬ be known, wherein a gas-permeable membrane is glued directly on egg ^¬ ne present on the housing of the electrical device or versschweißt bore. To protect the membrane, a cover label or a cover cap is glued or clamped directly onto the membrane. It proves to be disadvantageous that the membrane may lose its permeability through various solid particles, such as dirt and dust, which may cause interference and failure of the electrical equipment. An exchange of the membrane is either not possible or complicated, costly and tedious.

Furthermore, pressure compensation elements are known which have base bodies with a membrane welded or glued directly to the base body. Such Druckausgleichsele ^¬ elements are attached to the housing with separate sealing elements. In addition to the above-mentioned problem of the welded or bonded membrane, it proves to be problematic that, for example, sealing elements can be forgotten during ^assembly and / or the entire pressure compensation element can be incorrectly installed. The assembly of the Druckaus ^¬ same element, or replacement of the membrane is thus costly and a source of possible assembly errors, which in turn can lead to interference and failure of the electrical equipment.

WO 2008/077667 A2 proposes a pressure compensation element which, environmentally summarizes a pot-shaped cover member having a bottom surface and a wall, and a recessed ^¬ translated in the cover member adapter having a bore therethrough. The opening of the bore is of a diaphragm abge ^¬ which covers mounted on the upper end side of the adapter is. An air passage is formed between the inner wall of the Abde ^¬ ckungselementes and the outer wall of the adapter and between the bottom surface of the cover member and the bore of the adapter. The membrane is supported by webs which are cross-shaped in the bore and prevent Fal ^¬ tion of the membrane.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved compressed air compensation element for housing, in particular for housing electrical devices to provide, which in particular avoids the above mentioned disadvantages, ensuring a reliabil ^¬ sigen pressure equalization and / or is cost effective and easy to manufacture. This object is achieved by means of a pressure compensation element ge ^¬ Mäss claim. 1 Advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

To achieve this object, according to one aspect, a pressure compensation element for housing is specified. According to another aspect, a housing with the pressure compensation element is ^¬ be attached.

The pressure compensation element comprises a hollow body as-trained connecting body, a diaphragm seat having a bearing surface for a gas-permeable membrane and egg ^¬ NEN impact protection. The membrane is arranged on the bearing surface between the impact protection and the membrane seat. The membrane seat is arranged on the connecting body. For example, the membrane seat is formed by a portion of the connecting body.

The impact protection is coupled to the connecting body. For example, the impact protection is coupled to the connecting body by means of a hinge, for example by means of a film hinge. The connecting body and the impact protection can be formed integrally. The impact protection is in one embodiment, a lid, the support surface of the

Membrane seat and the membrane at least in places over ^¬ covers.

The connecting body has a first opening which is arranged at a free end and a first opening in the bearing surface

Membrane seat opening second opening. The two gene Öffnun ^¬ represent a particular end portions of the hollow body penetrating the cavity. The pressure compensation element is particularly suitable for gas exchange between the housing interior and the surroundings of the housing through the cavity passing out ^¬ forms. Within the second opening a spring element adjoining the support surface is arranged, by means of which a support contour for the membrane is formed. In particular, the membrane completely covers the second opening and is preferably located on the support contour. The spring element is in particular elastically deflectable by the membrane.

Is formed inside the housing, a negative pressure, the diaphragm is pressed into the second opening, whereby a force on the Fe ^¬ derelement exerted. In other words, the membrane is curved into the cavity with elastic deformation of the spring element when the pressure in the cavity is lower than the pressure at the side of the membrane facing away from the cavity. A lower pressure in the cavity than the pressure on the side of the membrane facing away from the cavity corresponds to a negative pressure in the cavity, based on the pressure on the side of the membrane facing away from the cavity. Such a negative pressure can be caused or enhanced, for example, if the gas exchange through the membrane is hindered due to dirt particles on the membrane.

If the negative pressure in the cavity after - for example, by an air heating inside the housing - is the membrane pushed back due to the spring force of the spring element in its initial ^¬ state.

The spring element thus enables on the one hand a good Aufla ^¬ gefläche for the membrane and on the other hand, the Federele ^¬ ment ensures that the membrane is pushed back by a dirt particles on the membrane caused negative pressure inside the housing in its initial state, so that the particles fixed on the membrane are in motion and embrittle. This promotes the detachment of the dirt particles from the membrane. In this way, the membrane can not permanently clogged with dirt particles and is longer lasting, so that a durable and cost-effective pressure equalization between the housing interior and the circulating air can be ensured. Advantageously, the pressure compensation element is also suitable for use in heavily polluted environments.

In a further embodiment, the support contour of the spring element and the bearing surface of the diaphragm ^seat lie in egg ^¬ ner surface. The support contour and the contact surface can be ge ^¬ jointly in a plane. Alternatively, the support contour of the spring element and the bearing surface of the diaphragm seat may be curved, so that they are common ^¬ sam contained in a curved surface. Conveniently, the membrane in an initial state of the surface accordingly - ie the supporting contour of the spring element and the bearing surface of the diaphragm seat accordingly - be curved so that it rests positively on the support contour of Fe ^¬ derelementes and the bearing surface of the diaphragm seat and is supported by this. The initial state corresponds in particular to a pressure-balanced configuration, ie the same pressure on the two opposing main surfaces of the membrane. In this case, one-way and also multi-directional curved embodiments of the support contour of the spring element, the bearing surface of the diaphragm seat and the membrane are conceivable, wherein under a uni-directional curvature, for example, a cylindrical curvature and under a multi-directional curvature, for example, a spherical Krüm ^¬ tion can be understood. Preferably, the surface is free of hyperbolic points, that is, each point of the surface is an elliptic point (both major curves have the same sign), a parabolic point (exactly one of the main curves is zero), or a flat point (both main curves are zero). For example, the surface is convex.

In another embodiment, the impact protection is at least partially on the membrane and thus provides a position assurance of the membrane. Furthermore, in this way the gas-permeable membrane is largely protected from dirt ^¬ particles. By securing the position of the membrane can reliably and safely between the diaphragm seat and the

Impact protection may be arranged without welding or gluing the membrane is necessary. In this way, the membrane can be easily, quickly and inexpensively replaced.

Advantageously, the hollow body between the first opening and the diaphragm seat has at least one sealing element, wherein the sealing element is designed such that it seals the connecting body of the pressure compensation element relative to the housing. It is particularly advantageous if the first opening on the hollow body has at least one Rastele ^¬ ment for fixing the pressure compensation element with the Ge ^¬ housing, which in a simple way the seat of the

Pressure compensation element can be secured to the housing. The sealing element is in particular formed integrally with the hollow body.

Preferably, both the membrane seat and the membrane and the impact protection each have a rectangular outer contour, whereby a particularly simple, inexpensive and ef ^¬ fective production of the membrane can be ensured. In particular, a particularly large proportion of the Membrane material used in production. Compared with a round membrane shape, greater elasticity can be achieved by means of the rectangular surface.

In an advantageous embodiment, the spring element between two opposing areas of the second opening is formed such that the spring elements in a - especially caused by dirt particles on the membrane or amplified - negative pressure inside the housing is forced through the membrane into the second opening, wherein the spring element at a decreasing negative pressure in the

Housing interior - for example, due to heating of the air in the housing - pushes back the membrane by spring force in its initial state. In this way, the dirt particles fixed on the membrane to be moved and become brittle such that the permeability of the membrane is wiederherge ^¬ represents.

The spring element has in one embodiment in plan view of the second opening an s-shape or at least one s-shaped portion.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the first opening and the second opening at the two ends of the hollow body located opposite one another, so that a particularly we ^¬ nig disturbed pressure equalization between the interior of the housing and the circulating air can be achieved.

Other features, applications and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the figures.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a pressure compensation element according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective detail view of the connecting body of the pressure compensation element of Figure 1, and

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the pressure compensation ^¬ element of Figure 1 in the assembled state.

Fig. 1 shows a pressure compensation element 100 in perspektivi ^¬ shear exploded view. The pressure compensation element 100 illustrated in Figure 1 is suitable for use in a non-illustrated frame for electrical apparatus and comprises a connector body 110, a diaphragm 130 and a formed as a lid impact protection 140 , which is coupled by means of snap connection elements with the connecting body 110. The connecting body 110 is formed as a hollow ^¬ body 150 and connectable to the housing. The hollow body 150 has a free end disposed at a first opening 160 and an opening into a diaphragm seat 120 second opening 170, the end portions a are the Hohlkör ^¬ per 150 penetrating in the longitudinal direction of the cavity. If the pressure equalization member 100 to the housing verbun ^¬ 160 opens the first opening in the housing interior of the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the first opening 160 is opposite to the second opening 170 is arranged ^¬ , in principle, the two openings 160, 170 may also be arranged elsewhere.

The membrane seat 120 has a support surface 125 into which the second opening 170 opens. Within the second opening 170, a spring element 180 adjoining the support surface 125 is formed. A laterally merge into the supporting surface ^¬ surface 125 of the spring member 180 bil ^¬ det a supporting contour 185 for the membrane 130. The support contour 185 and the bearing surface 125 of the diaphragm seat 120 are together in a surface which in the illustrated embodiment eininnig curved - that is formed as a portion of a cylinder jacket surface - is formed. The spring element 180 is formed between two mutually opposite regions of the second opening 170 such that it is elastically deformed into the second opening 170 by the membrane 130 after a negative pressure caused by dirt particles on the membrane 130 inside the housing and that at a decreasing negative pressure in

Housing interior, the membrane 130 is pushed back by the spring member 180 in its initial state, so that the fixed on the membrane 130 dirt particles are in motion and become brittle, whereby the permeability of the membrane 130 is restored. The spring element 180 has in plan view of the second opening 170 a s-shaped Ge ^¬ Stalt.

Accordingly, the diaphragm 130 is curved in a breather capillary geglichenen initial state is formed and follows the surface which contains the support contour 185 of the spring member 180 and the bearing surface 125 of the diaphragm seat 120 such that the membrane 130 form-fitting manner on the plant ^¬ surface 125 as well as the Supporting contour 185 rests. The impactor 140 is at least partially so on the

Membrane 130 that he - in addition to the protection of the membrane 130 from the impact of foreign bodies or liquids - the function of a position securing the membrane 130 takes over. In particular, the membrane 130 is fixed non-positively by means of the impact protection 140 and the membrane seat 120. The membrane is preferably not attached otherwise - into ^¬ particular the membrane 130 is not held by a welded or adhesive connection. Advantageously, in this case, it is non-destructively detachable from the membrane seat 120 and the impact protection 140. Thus, the membrane 130 can be comparatively easily changed from ^¬ . This embodiment is also for others Embodiments of the pressure compensation element 100 appro ^¬ net.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, a detail view of the connecting body 110, the second opening 170 opens into the curved membrane seat 120. The second opening 170 is correspondingly curved in plan view onto the second opening 170 of an S-contour ^¬ formed spring element 180. It also forms a s-shaped support contours 185 such that, a gas permeable membrane 130 also curved formed directly on the diaphragm seat 120 and the support contour of the spring element 185 can rest 180th Above the membrane 130, the impact protection 140 is arranged, so that a direct spraying of the membrane 130 by a liquid can be largely prevented.

The impact protection 140 has latching elements 145 and can be connected to the connection body 110 via these, as shown in FIG. 3, on the one hand a positional securing of the membrane 130 and on the other hand a simple assembly and disassembly of the impact protection 140 and thus also an exchange of the Memb ^¬ ran 130 can be ensured.

If the membrane 130, despite the upstream impactor 140 clogged with various solid particle deposits, an air negative pressure will form inside the device during a Temperaturab ^¬ lowering phase, whereby the diaphragm 130 is sucked against the prestressed spring element 180 in the second opening 170. When air heating inside the housing, for example by the operation of an electrical device, the resulting negative air pressure will decrease. The bias of the spring element 180 ensures that the Federele ^¬ element 180 and the diaphragm are returned to their original Po ^¬ sition 130th The

Solid particle deposits on the membrane 130 become brittle by the movement of the diaphragm 130 so that the air ^¬ permeability of the membrane 130 is made again. In principle, both the diaphragm seat 120 and the diaphragm may be designed differently 130, wherein the membrane seat described in the illustrated embodiment 120 and the diaphragm 130 in a plan view have rectangular outer contour and are configured ^¬ curved. Due to the right ^¬ angular outer contour, an optimal utilization of the

Membrane material can be ensured in an automatic production of the membrane 130. Furthermore, the rectangular membrane 130 in relation to, for example, round

Diaphragm cross-sections through their larger surface and a higher elasticity, whereby the useful life of the membrane 130 is extended and thus the total cost of the pressure equalizer equal ^¬ 100 can be lowered.

The connecting body 110 has adjacent the first Publ ^¬ voltage 160 on the hollow body 150 locking elements 200, the detent elements 200 secure the seat of the connecting body 110 at the Ge ^¬ housing when the pressure equalization member 100 is mounted to the housing, not shown. Furthermore, the connecting body 110 in the illustrated embodiment, two sealing elements 190, wherein the number of sealing ^¬ elements 190 is variable and can be made flexible depending on the production process and field of application. The sealing elements 190 can either be additionally attached to the hollow body 150 or produced directly in a production process with the hollow body 150. It is advantageous if the entire connecting body 110 and thus both the hollow body 150, and the sealing elements 190 and the membrane seat 120 are produced in one piece by injection molding. In principle, it is also conceivable that the connecting body 110 also includes the impact protection 140 and this is mounted folded over the hollow body 140. In this case, a common manufacturing process would be injected in which both the connector body 110 with the sealing members 190 and the impact protector 140 possible, which could, inter alia, save manufacturing costs.

In addition to the described and illustrated embodiment, further embodiments are conceivable, which may include further modifications and combinations of features. The invention is not limited by the description based on the embodiments of these. Rather, He ^¬ invention encompasses any new feature and any combination of features, including in particular any combination of features in the embodiments and claims.

Claims

claims

1. pressure compensation element (100) for housing with a hollow body (150) formed connecting body (110), with a diaphragm seat (120) having a support surface (125) for ei ^¬ ne membrane (130) and with an impact protection (140) wherein the diaphragm seat (130) is disposed on the connector body (110) and the bumper protector (140) is coupled to the connector body (110);

wherein the membrane (130) on the support surface (125) between ^¬ the impact protection (140) and the diaphragm seat (120) is arranged;

comprises wherein the connecting body (110) arranged at a free end first opening (160) and one in the supporting ^¬ surface (125) of the membrane seat (120) opens the second opening (170); and

wherein within the second opening (170) a spring element (180), which can be deflected elastically from the membrane (130) and adjoins the support surface (125), is arranged, by means of which a support contour (185) for the membrane (130) is formed.

2. pressure compensation element (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein

the two openings (160, 170) represent end sections of a cavity penetrating the hollow body (150),

- The membrane (130) is curved under elastic deformation of the spring element (180) into the cavity, when in the cavity relative to a side facing away from the cavity side of the membrane (130), there is a negative pressure, and

- The membrane (130) is pushed back into its initial state due to the spring force of Federelemen ^¬ tes (180) when the negative pressure in the cavity decreases.

3. pressure compensation element (100) according to one of vorherge ^¬ henden claims, characterized in that the Stützkon- (185) of the spring element (180) and the bearing surface (125) of the diaphragm seat (120) lie in one surface.

4. pressure compensation element (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the supporting contour (185) of the spring element (180) and the bearing surface (125) of the diaphragm seat (120) are ge ^¬ curved.

5. pressure compensation element (100) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the membrane (130) is formed such that the membrane rests positively in an initial state on the surface.

6. pressure compensation element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the impact protection ^¬ (140) at least partially rests on the membrane (130) and constitutes a position assurance of the membrane (130).

7. pressure compensation element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow body

(150) between the first opening (160) and the membrane seat (120) at least one sealing element (190) aufesit, wherein the sealing element (190) for sealing the connecting body (110) relative to the housing is formed.

8. pressure compensation element (100) according to one of vorherge ^¬ existing claims, characterized in that adjacent to the first opening (160) on the hollow body (150) at least one latching element (200) is formed, wherein the latching element (200) the seat of the connecting body (110) on the housing si ^¬ chert.

9. pressure compensation element (100) according to one of vorherge ^¬ henden claims, characterized in that the

Membrane seat (120), the membrane (130) and the impact protection (140) each have a rectangular outer contour.

10. pressure compensation element (100) according to one of vorherge ^¬ henden claims, characterized in that the Federele ^¬ ment (180) is formed between two opposite regions of the second opening (170) that at a negative pressure in the housing interior, the spring element (180 ) is pushed through the membrane (130) into the second opening (170), and that at a decreasing negative pressure in

Housing inside the membrane (130) is pushed back by the spring element (180) in its initial state.

11. pressure compensation element (100) according to one of vorherge ^¬ existing claims, characterized in that the Federele ^¬ ment (180) has an S-shape.

12. pressure compensation element (100) according to one of vorherge ^¬ existing claims, characterized in that the first Öff ^¬ tion (160) and the second opening (170) at the two ends of the hollow body (150) opposite to each other.

13. Housing with a pressure compensation element (100) according to ei ^¬ nem of the preceding claims.

14. Electronic control device with a housing according to the preceding claim.